Come Fly With Me

My Life: The Funny Pages

2012-02-08T19:25:00.000-06:00

Simple. Plain Jane. The Everyday.

Life...It's hilarious if I let myself look up from the spinning wheel of routine and schedules.

Here are some recent things that have made me laugh:

~While cutting Josiah's hair, I turned to see Lucas with my water sprayer...soaking the front windows of my parents house and furiously wiping his grimely little hands on the panes of glass...making more mud than shine and then repeating this process for over an hour. Seriously. That long. When he ran out of water he then managed to refill from the cat bowl.

~JohnEllis and his obsession with the word ball and anything round. He literally says "ball" 100's of times/day...and always with a ? at the end, as if to say, "can I have that??". He was sick a couple weeks back. Respiratory problems. Cough. Congestion. Retractions. Wheezing. Crying uncontrollably. A visit to the ER in the middle of the night and inconsolable screaming...until he saw the top of a bulb syringe and suddenly after 3+ hours of nonstop screaming, instantly stops and says, "ball?".

~After a long 12 hour night shift: turning down all the lights and the entire night shift hiding as the day shift arrived with lots of questioning looks on their faces.

~Having my husband give me a 10 minute discourse on the numerous different pens he carries with him in his pencil box...how each of them has a different function and purpose such as: I use this blue pen to write in my journal, but this blue pen to take notes with in class and this particular pen to underline scripture in my Bible, but this pen is only for when I'm at work, etc. One would think that a pen, is a pen, is a pen. Until you meet Jody Cash. Then you realize that every pen has a story and not all pens are created equal. And that pens are serious business.

~My husband has and uses a pencil box. =)

~Josiah drew a picture of JohnEllis the other day at church. They were supposed to be drawing a picture of things they do at home. Since JohnEllis has been sick, Josiah said that we have been trying to get JohnEllis better soon, so he drew his stick figure...Complete with knee caps and a penis. I nearly lost it as we discussed with him how drawing a penis at church is inappropriate.

So there you have it.

My everyday is filled with humor. Somedays I have to hunt for it more than others but finding joy in the little things is the spice of life.

I Love The Way You Hold Me

2011-11-24T14:54:00.000-06:00

Do you ever feel like you are doing it alone? I do. Sometimes I think it is me against the world. Like I have to make life worth living, perform to get the most out of life. I strive to make myself and my family joyful...like I can work hard enough to get to IT. I am still not exactly what IT is yet but I fool myself into thinking that someday I will know when ever we have arrived. Whenever we are THAT family...you know, that family that everyone desires to be part of. I guess a cross between a great movie family and those families at church that seem to "have it all together". =)

It sounds silly in print but if I am honest...I still have those thoughts sometimes. But today, I am resting in the truth of God and not believing the lies of the enemy. I have the perfect family! We are FOR SURE in process and the process is sweetness and exactly what I want and exactly what I need.

I look back over just the past year of my life and the life of my family and wow. wow. wow! We have been held so lovingly by the Lord. I love the way He holds us! He knows the perfect way to love us and like a really good Daddy gives us abundantly more than we could ever ask or need. I am so thankful that He gives us what we REALLY want and need...opposed to what WE think we want. I am learning to trust Him. That He really knows best and really can be trusted to do what is best for us. Without my own interference.

Just a quick look back on my past year. This is how the Lord has held me. This is what I'm thankful for.

~Boys. Wiggly, snuggly, toe-lint picking boys.
~Being adored by the 4 most handsome guys I know.
~Travel...with all it's joys and hardships. What a privledge to see God's handiwork first hand.
~Seeing God's provision through the body of Christ.
~Dancing and singing with my family.
~Homeschooling and teaching my boys.
~Listening to Josiah & Lucas count.
~Watching Josiah perfect his coloring skills and the joy he has when he stays in the lines!
~A husband who is courageous.
~A husband who loves me...and ice cream! =)
~Friends. LifeGroup. Teammates.
~Little boys who beg me to make up stories for them before bed.
~3 Brothers.
~To be part of a movement of Christ that is transforming the world.
~Extended family.
~Rodeos...especially the ones in my living room when I get to be the announcer and watch my little cowboys.
~Laundry, dishes, diapers, messy rooms, grocery shopping.
~Hilarious co-workers.
~Reading.
~Watching 3 boys, a daddy and a dog wrestle and play.
~Candles & Fireplaces.
~Training schools & people who push me to go further than I think possible.
~People who forgive me...no matter what.
~God. Who never leaves us alone. Who draws me into relationship with him. Who desires to be with me.

When does it end? Every good and perfect gift is from my God (James 1:17). Can I stop being thankful? Stop counting my blessings? They are as numerous as the stars. You are so good.

Lord, I love the way you hold me.

(Our current fav family song: Hold Me by Jamie Grace)

Table Mountain

2011-10-20T16:20:00.000-05:00

Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth,

or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

This morning I awoke chilly and to the sound of rain...which is glorious already if you have been living in Texas with record heat and overwhelmed with drought. But I am not in Texas. I am in South Africa and I have this view out of my window. The Table Mountain looks small...because it is covered in the clouds of early morning but as the clouds clear away, a majestic masterpiece emerges.

Table Mountan blanketed in early morning clouds

View from the common area of our living quarters

Everyday views for Cape Town, South Africa

Pictures don't do this town justice. It is beautiful and filled with amazing views of this mountain. We are primarily focusing our time at Cape Town University which is build up the side of this mountain. It is captivating to walk to campus and see the majesty of God on such glorious display...it is also an amazing workout for the legs! I have been in awe of the grandeur of this place...the mountian feels ancient and majestic and points me to God. It is overwhelming to think of God cutting the shape of this mountain top and reminds me that before all creation--God was. His majestic creations point me to His holiness and His holiness creates a desire in me to worship Him.

Pray for the students of Cape Town University. That they will come face to face with the God who created this mountain on which they live and be overwhelmed with His grandeur! And overwhelmed that such a majestic and powerful God would chose to extend an invitation to them to enter into intimate relationship with Himself.

It is simply overwhelming.

Dreaming with God

2011-09-08T21:52:00.000-05:00

"Encounters with God as an intimate are quite different from those of a servant. His heartbeat becomes our heartbeat as we celebrate the shift in our own desires. The realm of His presence becomes our greatest inheritance, and divine encounters are greatest memories."
~Bill Johnson, Dreaming with God

This past week began our new schedule for the next several months. It has been great to finally get to this point, as we have been anticipating this all summer. We are excited but already feel that our schedule will not be doable except by the grace of God...which we have experienced over and over again SO I am trusting Him to sustain us.

On Tuesday morning, we came into Waco early to sign Josiah up for Muttin' Bustin' (an event in the rodeo where little ones ride sheep! Adorable and hilarious!). Josiah has been looking foward to this for sometime and was so excited to finally be old enough to sign up to be in the rodeo just like all those cowboys he admires!

WELL....signups started at 8am with a limited number or entrants...the little boys and I stood in line for sometime...and missed the cut off by one person.

It was so sweet and sad explaining to little 4 year old Josiah why he wasn't able to be ride in the rodeo after all. He was disappointed, for sure. But took it in stride. Once I dropped them off at their mother's day out program, I started crying! Just knowing that this was his one chance since next year we will be gone. I was so sad for him...and me, too! I started thinking about all the "normal" things that I expected to see Josiah do as a boy...little league, 1st day of Kindergarden...Mutton Bustin'. I knew it was silly but I grieved the things our boys will not experience because we are moving to Haiti.

Tonight, while sitting on the front porch with my current read, plus amazing weather and a beautiful sunset, God brought me to this quote by Bill Johnson...about the realm of God's presence being our greatest inheritance and Divine encounters our greatest memories...It grabbed my heart. And I rested.

Thank you, God! The boys and I may not have all the expected memories and experiences of an American mom with 3 boys but wherever we are (America, Haiti, or elsewhere),we WILL experience God's presence and His divine encounters. It will be our greatest treasure...our most prized possessions...cherished memories of being friends with God and not merely servants. Of not just obeying God but living our life on earth with Him...experiencing Him and his adventues.

SOLD!

2011-08-22T10:04:00.000-05:00

The house on Charboneau is SOLD! Closing completed...keys handed over...we have more or less comleted our move-in with my folks in Gatesville and are settling in and finding our new routine. This is our last family picture in front of our empty Charboneau. Driving off was sad...I cried. But ofcourse, God was sweet to me. We met the lady who bought it during closing and she was precious! She is retired and moving to Waco to be close to family. She and her family all loved the house and I know they will take great care of it and will make new memories in that house just as we did.

Jody finishes his last week at FirstCity on Friday and then next week we will begin our 24:14 training with a week-long retreat in Oklahoma. We are on our way! I can't believe all of this is really happening. Please continue to pray for us! That we will hear and know the way of the Lord...and walk in it with confidence!

Ridiculous? Disasterous? Was I created for this?

2011-08-08T17:07:00.000-05:00

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Everything that is created has a purpose...it may be for a specific function or task, for beauty or enjoyment, but all things created have a designed purpose. It is when we take the created thing and try to make it function in a way in which it was not purposed for that things get screwy. I wouldn't take a pair of scissors to the front yard to cut my grass..and likewise, I certainly wouldn't use our lawn mower to try to cut paper! At best, it would be ridiculous and at worst, disasterous!

It seems so obvious in this scenario but I find myself regularly trying to put my self and my life into situations that I was not created and purposed to do. I was created for good works! To love God, love other believers, and love those that don't know Jesus. I forget. I try to make this creation function in purposes it was not created for and sure enough...the results are ridiculous and sometimes disasterous, too.

I was created for love and good works, in the image of God and for His purposes and glory...this should be the end result no matter what I do...whether big or small. If that is not the fruit I see then can I really be performing as I was created? When I function in other capacities and try to do the things that I have planned for my life vs. what God has planned I see only anger, frustration, selfishness, discord and dysfunction.

If I was made to be God's workmanship...to do good works that God has planned in advance, then I REALLY want to do that. And only that. It may not sound as good in the moment...I may think I have a bigger, better plan. Why cut all that paper with little scissor blades when I have those big, sharp lawnmower blades attached to a powerful engine?? Surely, it is more effectve, more time efficient...right?
That is ridiculous and probably disasterous, too.

God help me to wait for you...for what you created me to do. I want to function in the ways and purposes that I was created for and nothing else. I don't want to try to make myself function for the things of this world.
Scissors are happiest and most effective at cutting paper.
Lawnmowers are happiest and most effective at cutting grass.

I daily need to seek out what God has created me to do and be...not just for future plans but for now. For today. For this moment.

What are my results? Anything ridiculous or disasterous just won't do. Was I created for this? It's a question I want to be asking myself more often.

Securely Unsecure.

2011-07-27T14:26:00.000-05:00

There have been few times in my life I didn't feel secure...safe...assure of what lied ahead. Maybe after graduating nursing school: having my first job and not so cheap apartment near Downtown Dallas. I remember being a bit unsure of how I was going to pay for it if I didn't pass my nursing boards and couldn't work as a RN. I didn't sleep the night before my boards...so nervous. But I passed. On the first try. Phew...worry free again!

Until now. The past several days have been nuts. Our house has sold and I am slowly packing a few things but mostly selling all of our stuff. It is hitting me. As the couch goes...the table...armoire...knickknacks. Sometimes I feel like I am selling our life...our memories. Maybe a bit dramatic, which is surprising since I am not usually one for drama, but this process feels important somehow. Everytime I let someone else drive off with another "thing" that I REALLY like I remind myself that I am not losing something but gaining.

Freedom.

Freedom from stuff and the things that so easily entangle me and lure me to my life here when I know God is inviting me to something else. Something eternal. But it's hard. For sure.

I like my stuff...I really do. We don't have tons of stuff...and not even really expensive stuff. But it is stuff we really have enjoyed. I've tried to create a home that has just enough to meet our needs and some of our wants. Someplace comfortable. It has been our physical place of rest and peace. This process of selling our stuff is forcing me to come to terms with God being my only source of rest and peace...I want that but it is much easier to want it than to actually go through the process of obtaining it.

I feel sad and happy and excited and nervous. I feel securely unsecure. I'm married with 3 small boys...but within the month my husband will be leaving his full-time job, our house will be sold, our stuff will be sold and we will be moving in with my parents while we complete our training school and wait for God to reveal the next steps in our journey.

That is unsecure...to me, anyways. But somehow, when I really evaluate everything, I still feel strangely secure. I don't feel like we are screwing up our lives or our kids lives because we are currently dumping the American dream. I know that God is secure...His arms are strong...our foundation firm. I feel secure in my insecurity.

On paper, our immediate future looks ridiculous...like we are intentionally jumping off a cliff when we could be sitting comfortably enjoying the view. It may be crazy but I feel secure that God is going to come through. Somehow. I don't know if it will be a parachute or a soft place to land...probably something I couldn't even dream up. He works that way. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are better than our ways. I'm learning to trust him.

So. Securely Unsecure. I guess I'm okay with that.

A Beautiful Mess

2011-07-20T22:10:00.000-05:00

Our trip to Haiti was much like the country itself...a beautiful mess. If you aren't careful, all you see is the crazy chaos, the mess and you miss the beauty of Haiti and the richness of it's people. Well, our travels were much the same. I would find myself focusing on the messiness of overseas travel with 3 small boys to an undeveloped country and missing the beauty. It is so easy to look down and forget to look up.

In Haiti, when you look down you see dirt.

Trash.

Filth.

Poverty.

When you look up you see blue skies.

Green trees heavy with ripe fruit and flowers.

Mountain peaks & ocean views.

On our travels, when I looked down I saw:

sleepy boys with no schedule.

rashes.

bugbites.

sweat.

dirt.

fatigue.

frustration.

confusion...what were we thinking??

When I looked up I saw:

Jesus.

Grace...enough for each moment.

Joyful boys...content with 2 small trucks, a few books & coloring supplies.

A husband, partner, & friend.

Teamates willing to love and help...practically & spiritually.

Clarity. Joy. Beauty.

Our 2 week trip to Haiti was quite a ride. There were moments I wanted to run away...back to Texas. My home. Back to organization, cleanliness and schedules...because I think that is the environment in which I thrive. But it's not true. I learned that I thrive...my family thrives anywhere! Anywhere we are all together...anywhere we are with Jesus and doing what He has invited us to do.

Everything on this trip was filtered in my mind...the "we may be living here someday" filter. I began counting the costs on this trip...seriously counting the costs. And not just, I will miss my favorite red chair. This trip was a reality check. I know no one is "cut out for this"...especially me. I DO know that God will not invite me and my family to something and not meet us there.

God met us in Haiti.

His grace really is enough.

For each moment. of each day. in Texas. in Haiti...especially in Haiti.

His grace was all we had...and is seriously, quite enough.

Tangible Good News With Earthy Relevance

2011-07-06T13:01:00.000-05:00

The Poor Will Be Glad by Peter Greer & Phil Smith is my current read...I am just getting started but can already tell that it will be a book that I recommend again and again. Here are some of my thoughts so far:

Jesus never seperated evangelism and service. His life modeled the perfect combination of the two and they were one and the same. So many of our American churches have seperated the two (missions committee vs. benevolence committee...sound familiar??). Jesus lived the Greatest Commandment to love God and love others but also called us to Go, Baptize and Teach to obey in the Great Commmission. This book is growing my desire to present a "two handed" gospel...because Jesus is all about meeting both our physical and spiritual needs...they are so interconnected I think it is difficult to present the fullness of the Good News unless we do both.

"The disciples did not seperate doing good works from proclaiming the good news. The gospel wasn't only an abstract idea that could "save souls" but tangible good news with earthly relevance. This had been impressed on the disciples not only by the daily actions of Jesus but in their first assignments."

~Phil Smith

John Ellis Cash. 1 Month Old...already!

2011-02-20T18:35:00.000-06:00

January 20, 2011 @ 1:19 a.m. John Ellis Cash joined our family and we grew to become a true "party of five". During this pregnancy, numerous people (some we know and many strangers, too!) have asked to pray for me and the baby...everyone was praying the same prayer--that this baby would, like John the Baptist, be filled with the Holy Spirit even in the womb. So many times we heard this prayed that we decided to incorporate 'John' into his name. Ellis came from Josiah! We don't know where he came up with Ellis since we don't know anyone by this name but we liked it and like that it means "my God is the Lord". We are calling him by both names but Lucas seems to always just say Ellis...and it may just stick. We shall see as the months go by.

Labor with John Ellis was so different than the other boys...we had gone to LifeGroup, come home and put the boys to bed and were getting settled down for the night as well. I guess I wasn't prepared for my water to break prior to labor starting since that has never happened before...in fact, Lucas was actually born with his waterbag intact! Contractions started maybe 30 minutes later and were fairly strong from the beginning. My parents came from Gatesville to stay at the house with the sleeping boys so Jody & I headed to the hospital much sooner than we ever have before (I was 8 cm when we got there). I have never labored at the hospital with the others...we just got there in time to push and have a baby...but laboring there a couple hours wasn't too bad after all (thanks to our midwife C. Miller who let me move and do basically whatever I wanted). Once I finally felt the urge to push he came quickly with the labor lasting about 4 hours total. I was SO thankful to have him in my arms and super thankful for Jody--he is always an awesome labor coach.

One of my favorite things about natural childbirth is that I get to experience how just speaking the name of Jesus can bring peace to my body, mind and spirit.

Oh, and thanks to all our family & friends who have come by, brought diapers, meals, groceries, prayed and offered help as we transitioned to having 3 kids. You all are blessings!!

The Harvest

2010-05-27T19:59:00.000-05:00

So, next year I will do a few things differently...I will NOT plant as many tomato plants (we had an over abundance--that's an understatement) and I will thin the carrots when they are little sprouts like you are supposed to (mine were thin and twisty because they were planted too close together). It has been a fun learning experience...next spring I hope to do even better.

Sprouts!

2010-03-31T19:53:00.000-05:00

My first attempt at a lasagna garden...here come the little baby sprouts!

How Time Flies By When Having Fun!

2010-03-26T20:59:00.000-05:00

Happy 1st Birthday, Lucas!!

March 5, 2010
This year has passed by so quickly...I remember the day Lucas was born like yesterday. Time flies--seriously. When did these boys grow up?? I feel so blessed to be the mother of Lucas and get to see his precious personality each day. He is a lover and comes to give us hugs frequently throughout the day.

I loved this picture I caught of Josiah at Lucas' backyard birthday party--he wasn't so sure about eating a hot dog. I don't know why but he doesn't really like 'kid food'.

Lucas eating his birthday car cake. Good thing I made several because the first one ended up dumped on the ground before Lucas even got to try it! Poor Lucas was very sleepy and ready for bed and spent much of the evening crying. He slept through most of the party.

The car cakes I made for Lucas' party...

it was fun and I was pretty proud of how they turned out.

Waiting for our Clarabelle...

2009-10-25T21:00:00.001-05:00

I am so excited and very anxious to have our new Westie puppy come home. I will make the trip this week to go pick her up. We are naming her Clarabelle (got the idea from Josiah's Thomas the Train book...just spelled a little differently). Her mom's name was Sadie Belle and her Grandmothers name was Tinkerbelle --so we thought it was fitting...plus, we like how Josiah sounds when he says Clarabelle. =) We drove to Teague last Thursday evening to see her and take some pictures....then yesterday bought all our new puppy supplies. It is fun to be able to buy some girlie pink stuff finally!! So we have everything we need except a dog...can't wait to have her here soon!!

The Great Pumpkin Patch!

2009-10-17T21:02:00.001-05:00

We went to the pumpkin patch this morning and tried to get some pictures...but it was very sunny and near impossible to get the boys to cooperate. Most of the pictures were of their eyes closed and I couldn't get either of them to crack a smile. Should have known better!! Oh well...here are a few of the better ones. They are still my favorite little punkin's:

NOT SO TIGHT...PLEASE! A little TOO much brotherly love was caught in this picture!

Autumn...

2009-10-16T19:24:00.000-05:00

Autumn weather was back today in Waco and I am very thankful...yesterday I sweated it out but refused to turn the a/c back on...it was so muggy and hot that today's cool breezes were more than welcome...

This is my favorite time of year. The crisp autumn air that sneaks in on summer always refreshes me and puts a bounce back in my step...plus, I really enjoy decorating for the fall season. Jody has been making Josiah come up to me several times everyday asking, "can we decorate a Christmas tree??" (um...a little early!) I love Christmas decor too, but this year I want autumn to linger a little longer.

The mums that I planted last year came back so well...I bought them with expectation of them being annuals and am thankful to get another season out of them.

I spent the afternoon in the front yard with the boys waiting for Jody to get home from work. We spent most of our time playing "LifeGroup" on Josiah's direction. I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home with my boys and see them grow up. I have been amazed at how quickly they are growing up...everyday I see Josiah's imagination exploding. He is so much fun and Lucas just wants to be near him all the time. I can already see Lucas being that little brother who follows big brother around...ofcourse, Josiah loves it and I pray that continues throughout their childhood. Something about today...sitting on the front steps watching the boys play together--I just felt special and thankful to be their mom. They are my favorite little blessings (Jody is my favorite big blessing!). =)

HOT Fair & Rodeo...Yummy!

2009-10-15T20:16:00.000-05:00

We hit the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo last Saturday...it was fun and yummy, too! Central Texas has an awesome fair/rodeo--it is the perfect size and yet done very well. Our favorite part is the rodeo (you get in free most nights...bonus!) but the fair food is always very delicious and artery clogging. We tried (keyword tried) to go cheap but still managed to shell out a fair amount of cash. free balloons and suckers...what is better? It kept the boys satisfied and plus I love free stuff. Jody likes to say that if they were giving away crack I wouldn't be able to turn it down.

kinda makes me want to get a little pig...they were so cute!! Josiah really enjoyed the petting zoo this year...the worst part is having your clothes chewed on by the goats. They are very diligent creatures and quite annoying.

I love the excitement in Josiah's eyes in this picture...I took this picture of us with the Llama for two reasons: 1) my family had a llama when I was a child and I hated/feared it with great passion and 2) we recently checked out a library book "Llama, Llama Mad at Mama" that I thought was adorable and should be checked out by all moms who have ever gone shopping with young children. very funny.

Tractors!! Josiah could have stayed here all night...I don't know if we were supposed to let him crawl on these but we did and he loved it. He has a strong love for anything with wheels.

Overall, a great time and worth every cent...makin' memories.

The Good Life

2009-10-03T22:01:00.001-05:00

I just can't get enough of these 3 boys...they are a joy, my heart, a gift. Lord, teach me to cherish these times. Thanks Jayme and Sam for a great time in OK. We love your place. What is better than a hammock, family, late summer days...no where to go and nothing better to do??

My latest experiment: Lasagna Garden!

2009-10-03T21:27:00.000-05:00

I am starting a new project...Lasagna Gardening! Jody built me a box to help keep it all contained (hopefully our close neighbors seen in pic below will not be too annoyed...) I first started with several layers of wet newspaper then added a layer of compost from our compost bin we started back behind our greenhouse. The next layer is grassclippings from last weekends mowing, then another layer of compost. It was Jody's idea to begin a compost bin without any real plans for it but I am thankful for that random idea 3 years ago. Hopefully we will reap the benefits this spring/summer with a healthy harvest!

It started downpouring on us so we stopped after only 3 layers but the basic idea of a lasagna garden is to just layer away with organic materials until you have the depth you want. It will sit all fall and winter and be ready for planting in early spring. Can't wait to see how this experiment goes...will keep you posted.

Watch This Wooocuss!!

2009-06-16T19:13:00.000-05:00

Josiah showing Lucas how to play

Brother Kisses

(Josiah 25 months, Lucas almost 3 months)

I'm lovin' my boys. Funny that I am writing that this evening after Josiah threw fits all afternoon BUT even with those fits---I just can't help but love those sweet little men (especially once they have fallen asleep)!

This is night two of them sharing a room. I like the thought of them sleeping in the same room...two of the sweetest little faces resting peacefully together. Even if we had a larger house I would still want them to share a room. It's seems very brotherly. I pray they grow up having a blast together and build fond memories of their childhood (full of mischievous boy stuff I am sure).

Josiah seems to enjoy being a big brother and having little Lucas around. He likes to show off to Lucas and will say things like "Watch this Woocus (how it sounds when he says Lucas)" while he is dancing or "You see it, Woocus?" while proudly wearing his Spiderman "pack-pack" (aka backpack) and strutting back & forth in front of Lucas. It is very cute to see a little 2 year old parading around in nothing but cowboy boots, Cars underwear and a Spiderman backpack stuffed FULL of toys. It brings me joy and I love that Josiah makes Lucas smile. Some of the things Josiah does to Lucas would probably annoy the heck out of me, but Lucas seems not to mind and actually enjoys it.

May it be the beginning of a true and deep brotherhood.

Edinburg, Tx

2009-06-14T20:32:00.000-05:00

Spent the last week in Edinburg, Tx with ACC on a family mission trip. Great experience thanks to a Great God!! I must admit I was nervous to bring our two little ones...I was worried they would be cranky and tired (which, let's be honest, would probably produce a cranky and tired mama). BUT God provided grace and even more grace!! They slept great and were so flexible to go with the flow. Josiah was super pumped to get to ride on a bus!! I have learned from this trip that having a family with small children is only a hindrance to ministry if I allow it to be. God showed me that my young boys are actually AWESOME ministry tools. They are my "in" with people...everyone seems to want to talk to me when I have a baby on my hip. This trip made me realize that all my normal outings to Cameron Park or the Zoo or Mayborn Museum or wherever are actually holy encounters waiting to happen. I meet and chat with people everyday...it's my job to steer the conversation to things of true substance. Okay, so this is NOT earth shattering...BUT this trip helped me to realize that it really IS that simple. Saw salvations this week...people freed from bondage...people hungry for God. Edinburg is ripe...Waco is too. Let's live with purpose.